Air-ship.



Wfimmsams.

WWW.

M. SGHI'AVONE. AIR SHIP.

APPLICATION I'ILBD JULY 30. 1906.

PATENTBD. OGT. 15, 1907.-

i-u sums-sum 1.

' 'PATENTED 00Tf15, 190.7.-

M. SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLICATION nun JULYap. 1906.

10 SHEETS BK'EBT- 2.

-- i Ill l 1'" PATENTED 001:. 15131907.

M.. SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLmATIox 11.21) JUL: so. 1900.

10 SHEBTB-SHEET 3.

PATENTED our. 15, 1901 M. SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP. APPLIUATIOH FILED "111130. 1908.

10 sums-sum 4.

4 PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

M. SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLIOA'HON IILI ID-JULY.30. 190B.-

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

NO. 868.223. PATENTED 001'. 15, 1907.

M. SGHIAVONB.

AIR SHIP.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 30. 190B.

10 SKEETS-SHEET 61,-

Xwwwkxmcx PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

M; SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLICATION FILED JU-LYBO. 1906.

10 SEEETS-SHEET 7.

v Rmvsbws No. 868.223. I I PATENTED 0011 15, 1907. M; SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

1 ion EDI 13. 0e. A? R KL M 0 19 1o SHEETS-SHEET a.

PATEN'I'BD OCT. 15, 1907 M. SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLICATION nun JULY 30.1908.

7 1o sums- 8112319 Wwwswgs.

W 10 LI /u.

PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

M. SGHIAVONE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 30. mus.

10 SHEBTS-SEBBT 10.

Be known that I, MARIQ' 'ScHIAvoNE, a subject of the King of Italy, vProvinceof Potenza, Italy, have invented'eerta'innew tically, to allintents and purposes; permenent in chat UNITED STATES PATENT 'MARIO SHIAV NE, 0F FEitRANI)IN 1 TA Y-;

Specifiestiom of Patent.

' Batented OctgitiyIQO'Tt Application iilefl m 30,1'9p'e. Serial No.328,376.

.To all whom itmay concjei n':

residing at the townof Fernandina,

and useful Improvements innit-Ships, ofwhic h the fiillowin'g is aspecification.

f Certain features of my invention ereappliceble to; aerostatsgenerally, although designed more paIticu-' larly for the type ofduplex-eerostet, apparatus herein;

designeted, 'tlie structure 'shown and desei ibed sf.

the essential principles involved in my improvements in the ait ofaerostation. ilnpipovements relate to the 'classofsir vehicles inwhichtlie buoyance ofa oonfi'neclgas of relatively lig ht specific"gravity "is utilize-1L in sustaining anilffloatin g the to vehicles insaid class in which a plurality ol gierostats or fleets are incorporatedin u common structure supporting means for, propulsib n, steering, etcII i One of the main objects of-my invention fis to produce e type ofself-buoyant air vehicle which shall be' pracf ecterin the sense thataft'ei it is duly prepared and-1 chei'gecl with the hiio'yant medium, itwill remain operetive indefinitely, since the original supply ofhuoy'ant ges is retain d intact. This Ilacc'omplish by in-' closingthe liftinmedium, (a gas-lighter'than the atmosphere, and h dr'ogenthyprefeience,)in,seale d relceptacle's or float, upon andbetween ivhiehthe frame;

work qf thestrueture is supported. I am enable (l to accomplish thisdesitleretum, and at the sametime dispense with both. steering apparatusand hallast es here f tofoi'e 1m! and understood in; the art; by animpoftant and iingnishingfeature my invention, which 0on sislsessentially in varying the specific density of the jioatsby meansofcompreised ainint-roducedj into com-x partments therein, saidcompartments being senaratec 1-- from the lifting mediiimbyflexiblediaphmgms whereby, the weight of the epparatim mayhelincreased or dimin i ishe'tl to cause it to nscenrl or descendvertically, .or its center of gravity may bevaried so'as to' utilizeeentrip" etal fofce iii guiding it latenflly and horizontally inthe Yatmosphere,ems-hereinafter morefully set fortli. 1 45.

configuration 1andistrnct11re ofthe floats, to the special 'eonstru'ctionof the vskeleton ,f mework; tothe, relative distribution andarrangement of psrts, tot-he means forprimarily effecting theintroduction of the buoyant.

medium into the float; and to means for applyings'nd -'contr0ll ing the-compressecl ail: & c.-', all described and j j Theaecompanyingodrajwings illustrate thee'mho'diis ment of theessentialffeatii es of invention ins pine-'- tie 52 1 ifipamtgusof-pieferretl-,-fo1m, although I s jnot:

- -mnfine-oi' liinit'myself to minoi deteils qf cbnstifu'ction thespirit end intent 0t my inventio i is to be understood that certeinfeatures of my invention to: be understood-thet-thesize'andthicknessofcertain scale intheacsegrpnying'dmwings in: orde fid'cleqly x iillustrete the Hence, in a broaclsense, my

sectional elevation teken upon iilafieoflinii-SASFig;

#tion. for introducingthe hydrogen gas into the shell;-

land closure dishare sequ ned to the tl uneategl' 'i'd'iajihragm;FigQ-QL-fis'a :ctosssection of th Otlie; features of myinvention'rel ateto the-peculini (showing the truncated: end 0 --s'teinin; elevation jdgethe -nioyebleli1iing, strefi 811mm,; Biricj; 'm'ious modifiestions 111 m'eph expedientsvmay be reso 'tedto without c lepa; Fiuth areapplieelile not only 'the vehicle heiein" sh wn, but false to a singlefloat of elongated form whether cpnsisting oi sjrigid-metellic'shellolriof a cjollapsible envelop hereinafter pointed out; lt jflals opar'ts' 'sre necessarily enag'gerted out. of" propoi tioin 6i ctureunder the irequ-ireim ,n tsof th off cial i iiles governing forthePnizent Oifice i e 1, i a p ei 'o y fl nl s-flete f h p; B g 2- a.side elevation thei'eoi; 3, is'-a plan on a i": v scale of the centialiplstfoi'mandadjoining 1g. "4} is'esection uponjplane oi line H"-F ig.3;'

3; Fig; jsjasetionelelevstionitlien n of line 6-6'Fig. 1; Fig; 7,-isieplen ofi one of. themo'tor' platforms and connections; Fig; 8 is e5verticel' 1 sec- ,tion al elevation-taken upon plane amine 7 -Fig. 9, isai 'ti snsverseseetionof a shell float'onan en'-' ur es scale,illustieting the p emian j idisple'eing the atmospheric ai r .therei 1om;-

'1Q,.; i s a. sectional detail oi thenipiple on under shield theshellyFig 11",Lis aT-top'view'gand Fig 129. sectional view oflone of"the hatches; with whieh esehshell'.islproirided; 1-3; is'a. sectionalviewt the'sdcelldlhowl e'ntl of one oftlie .floats Fig. 14,, s transve'sexseetion taken'upon plane I of 1ine2'0f. 20Fi'g'. 1.3; Fig;.--I5', asection-teltenu'pon plane of-line 2l-ZltFig. 1 3;1Figf16; issl sectionalview-of the.b owefigl diaphii tg m showing; the 'coimec- Fig, -l 7,is:an elevation'i fieplug suitable tor closing the 'n'oinle intheendofthe diaphragm when the pipe-1 1 is removed; Fig. 4

gshellshowinge etmogphei e' expelling lining inflated, f; '95 r du rin'gthe 'opegationjofpinfiation; FigQ-I'Q, is a seet'ionjof;

{also showing theidislc-by which jsaid lining bag is closedsaid-closing-diskseel; Fig. 20, 118aJSQ t bm viewQn'a arge scslethiohgh'the joint; by which the liningfbag nature '1 I 00 which the edge of'eiehf diaphregm is seeui' anently to'its-shell; -22,'is a eIQ EQnoftheJo nt -i by v vhich the cletnchebl'e apex s ectionshf the es-staff secured to. the {shell} 23;

drewing the li closure disk; ,lg

were x extent by compressed air; F ig. 25, a'section upon a larger scaleof a portion-oi e she'll shov ving in cross see tion the endsoi'adjoining annular sections.

In the drawings A, A, representtwo. elerostats'or floats of equal. sizeand shape, and identical in construction .in every .par'ticnlar, so.that the following descriptionapplies to both Ialike.v ternal shell orcasing or. relatively ent'a-ttrihiiteswhich render it specially adepteclfor the purpose.

Thus a, is an-expreferably alurnininin on account of its low specificgravity, strength, ductility, and other well known inher- This shellisformed with a cylindrical hotly haying convergent ends, each tapering toa point, to

I facilitate The displacement of air when'the vehicle is propelledthcrcthrongh in either direction. -While 'not necessarily limitingmyself thereto, the preferable thatthis geometrical placementzofatmosphere with the least possible resistance,sinceit facilitatesthe'alilux oi the external finid niol'eenles at the bow and sternirrespective of I the direction oi'niotion."

- thei conditio'n' Iii-this connection it may be will to note. that theternis bow and stenflere herein used-mainly and" relatively lor purposesof convenience in c les-cription,"since; 1samatter. of iact;aftertheair-ship is installcd charged with thehuoyant'nieiliinn,anti-ready for use hereinafter set forth,

I are identical at each end of thevehicle. liy'ihe'n 1" ogii-alenclsmniterl b 'a-n"interinedia-te hoclyol' ieylinilricnl lornrl anenabled to obtain the lnaxiinnm-jol volume and ihe displacement with theniihinnnn of iiipcrliei l resistnnce. That is to saw. the

I .end's oi-th'e shell merge scientifically and correctly into up'andconlpos'ed of a series of annular section's z l.

n hotly oi nniiorln prescribed "diameter which is circulai'lin'tlosssection, and whichlhereiore affords a Ins-xi mum oi'a'reawith am'ininnnn oi convex peripheral sui'lace;-tlie eenter'ol' the circlecoinciding with: the longitudinal axis of the shell, so that lrcgiila-ting and prescribing" the lengtlrofiis cylindrical body in ac'cords-nee with therequirements any desirenl degree of displacement mayhe obtained witl 'the least possible peripheral sm-face .for'a givenvolume of bn'oyent niediu n as compared with floats of I ovoida l shapeheretofore-used. w l

I "Ifhecylilndrical-hocly oi" the shell (1, is'prci'erahly built whichare-externally convex in cross section, and may be forniecl' withinturned edges I rig-idly seenretl togetlier in any suitahleor' wellknown nul.

manner,- thns constituting prac lcally a corrugated structure which iseffectually; reinlorce'cl and strengthenecl'against enternalapressure.,lt is obi/ions that annular corrugated plates of other'forms may besubstistitnted for this-specific form oi flangecl annular plate shownwith substantially "sections aifo thesa-nie resnlt, but my andrictgl pern or the sl mosalile 'scction tr) or plain external surface.

thin sheet rnetel,

er flanges a' -"(shown in 2G) lay which the adjoining sectionsa may befceni eiiient. means by which to bitilcl' 'np rigid coirngatedshell ol'.any desired 'or pro:

" The dgital shapeclen of aY'e-on't'imiation of-"th I crewsinggrathiziliyqi outer edge oi'-eacli ol the last annn'lar sections (a?) 1,the termination ofthe anmilar'corrngated section a 1 is not inturned butis straight, and hum'enrea to it hermetically an external L-shapedflange plate a? r i r l The'inner edge of each removable section a,-hasa cor?- responding L- shaped"flange plate a, secured to it in' g likemariner. The' radially projectingn1en1hers of these two L- shepedflangeplate'as at, al ere bolted together to effect the attacl riientoithe Partsk-en annular gesketgu heiiig interposedIb'etween theopposedsnrlaces to insure an air-tight seal.- See Fig? 22.

F ittin g within, hei'rneticallyaattached -t0','1 the apex of each,reniovablesection a}; b, of an-end piece I), I I

having an eitension b projecting.

\ through the extreme end of the removable section a, to.

I I is secnred on end The extension h is hollow; being iorined with:losedatitsr nitcr end hnt open- -antl having a lateral l the outer endof which extension'b",

cap c. l a centinl chamher b;

ing into'the removable section a, port' li, into which fits a'nclissecured the end oi 233C011- euii or pipe r as hereinafter set forth. The ezitension bfloithe end -fl ange I), having semi-circular recesses binto which lit the extremities of the longitudinal n enihers f, f. oithe skeleton iraine F, hereinafter .(l escrilnrtlsaid exton' i r-aniebeing held in place by the hand I), whieh'is screwed to saidlongitmlinal members and to the'ernl piece b, as will he rinrlerstooilby reference to Fig. 1.4.

Said longitudinal members f. f, of thefskeletoniranie F, farefurthermore secured by screws e. 4' to the endpaps c. which latterprotect the parts inclosed thereby, and

of the shell (:{antl consist oi sections of aluininiunrtnbplates G,n'hich also nnite the adjecentendsioi the tulnilar sections), also ofalnininiu {which constitute the. laterally disposed bands-0r hoops Oltl'iB skeleton ira'ine work-said hoops encircling the shells and eachfitting snugly within one ottlie cle 'jressions formed bctween adjoiningannular sections of, of the corrugated is the'conicel flange tremitiesoi the longitndinalgnernhersf;f, oi the skeleat the sanie time ni'fordfinished appearanee'nnd rc- .100

frame F, conform closelygto the external configuration for theintroduction of compressed air piece b, also formed with broad externalannnlar series of small hatches e, .e arranged longitudinally ing, theadjacent endsef which are united'loy coupling portion of the shell e, asillnstiatetl in FigJQG. 'Any l l snitiiblelorniof conp'ling' plate Crmay be used. 5 These cross coupling plates. G are "preferably ins de ofaln ininiuni, as

'of tlie'tnhular sections. in their. respectivesockets. They unite thelongitudinal. and t-rans'vers(. incnihers 'er'baiilsinto arigid cage or'ne't cornpletely embracing the shell e, to Whieh case o net in turnthey afe ngrin secured, .not 'only bj the attaehmentof the extremities(if ll eremoveblesectionsaf, as hereinhefor'e. described, but also bymeans of numerous straps f also preferably l I s l of alunriininin, hyinhich both the band sections f. and

of 'th elo ngitndinal rnenihers'ff; to the enc'l pieees 12..

ere the screws for securing the extremities I nently.togetl 1e'r;and'theiseveral' sections of the skeletonframe. F.:1I1fit$d one -integra lstructure by the crossbar-son tiesf and stay- 1pdsf. .The 'cross' barsf,

' ends of the upper members are coupled to brackets h,

I both-to the'hoopsectionsf, and to the longitudinal sec 1 tionsf, whilethe' twincross bars f f ,,d esigned espe many for the support of thepropeller'shaft bearings stay-rods f oi; anydesiredpr-well known:construction,

pose oi -attaining the mair-ir'num of'rigidity and strength as arrangedto drivethe propeller shaft at each end of- .as any desired type ofmotor maybe employed purpose'as may be found'mos't expedient.

.to insure stability. Thirsgwhen-the longitudinal axes of the floats arein. the same-horizontal plane the center said platform'being supportedby and upon the skeleton the longitudinal sections f, are secureddirectly to the shell a at suitable intervals apart. The transversebands" and'longitudinal members fioi the skeleton framerF a'r thusmadeiip of tubular sections for the pun with tlie'minirnum' of weighhalthough I do. not necessarily confine myseliflto'the tubular structure,since other ;featnres of my invention are no dependent. thereon. p I Thetwo shells a, a, arecoupled rigidly'and permaare ofcourserpr'eierablyformed of aluminium tubing, and in the'constinction shown-in thedrawings, the

(Figs. 5'and seci'lred to hoop sectionsf. The bracketsh, for the lowercross bars are-secured both to the hoop sections f,.and toth-elongitudinal sectionsf, of

each shell cage'. 7 some of the intermediate cross ha rs are in likemanner coupled to cross b'rackets 71?, secured are coupled to'trussbrackets h fiand securedto hoop se 0- -tionsf of. each shell cage. Thecross barsf", are reinforced by any suitable number and arrangement ofsecured atitheir opposite'extremities to the brackets to which thecage'tubes are coupled asabove set forth.

The propeller shaft bearings each formpart of a spi der bracketI',"secured to twin cross bars f; as before intimated. Upon eachpropeller shaft. J, is mounted one or more propellers j, ofany desiredor suitable construction. Each propeller shaft. is driven by a'motor Kconnected therewith and situated upon a platform is, supportedbetweencross bars of'the skeleton frame F, as will be seen byreferenceto Figs-.6, 7 and 8. Electric motors areshown' symbolically in thedrawings the apparatus, but this'isby way of illustration only, for theThe propeller shafts are so arranged and' mounted on the skeleton frameF that their longitudinal axes coincide a line id entical with the axisof resistance of I thetwin-float air ship; This longitudinal axis ofboth propulsion and resistance isof course midway between" thelongitudinal axes of the twin-floats, and sufficiently above the centerofgravity OLiJllB apparatus as a wholeof gravity will be in the samevertical plane as, but below, said longitudinal 'axis of propulsion 'and'resistance, a condition essential to stability whether the air shipis'reposing horizontally, is in ascent-or descent, or is travelinghorizontally.

Midway between the extremities of the pparatus and the propellers isarranged a central platform M, designed to hold persons, engines,instruments, &c.,

frame work in any suitable manner. This platform M is ofilight'construction but sufficiently strong to support power generatingapparatus X of some kind, as well for supplying air under pressurethrough. thepipes n",

i to the ends of the shells a. Both the compressor N and the pressure.reservoir 7t, may be of any desired type, and are indicated more orless symbolically in the drawings, which showvalves n interposed in eachof the four pipes n for the purpose of controllingthe admissionolcompressed airto, or releasing it from, the end compartments of theshells as hereinafter set forth. 7 To accomplish this in a simplemanner-these valves may be ofrthe three way type, so that each endcompartment may be put in communication either with the" compressiontank n, or with theatmosphere; and said 'valves may be operatedindependently or simultaneousl'y, either manually or by any well knownmechanical expedient.

It will be seen that the weight of the entire cxtrin sic system isdistributed as much as possible alonqbetwcen and below the longitudinalaxes of the shell floats, thus favoring and rendering possible theirelongation, relatively, with respect to their volume or displacement tosucha degree that a minimum only of frictional contact and resistance isafforded to the atmosphere. This result is also enhanced by thestability-and rigidity of all the external parts, including the shellsthemselves as well as the skeleton frame work, connections &c.Furthermore, the ogival ends of the shells, by effecting thedisplacement of the atmosphere with the leastpos sible agitation ordisturbance thereof, also contribute tothe general effect inlesseningthe resistance to be overcome when the vehicle is in motion.

It will be observed that no provision is apparently made for ballastingor steering my air ship and certainly not by ordinary or well knownmeans. Both of these results I attain in an entirely original manner bythe use of compressed air inconnection with compartments in the shellso, separated from the compartments therein containing thehydrogen gas orother buoyant meclium. .This feature of my intention is'not howevernecessarily restricted to floats having rigid metallic pii'ells ofcovers, since the principle involved may be ad i antageously applied toelongated, collapsible. floats if desired, with'practically the sameresults,'-the essential feature in this connection consisting in the useof compressed air, not only as ballast by reason of its density andgreater specific gravity, but also for purpose of controlling thespecific density of the gas which is employedas the buoyant medium inthe float, substantially as hereinafter set forth. \Vith thisexplanation I will proceed to describe special means shown in theaccompanying drawings for effecting these de- 'sirable results inconjunction with an airvehicle having floats consisting of rigidmetallic shells, it being'unden stood that I do not limit myself to thispreferred structure,

diaphragmd, of flexible material of such size and shape as to fit andline snugly the interior 'surfaceof its end it and said surface. Eachoithes'e flexible collapsible partitionsor' diaplirag'ms d maybe'compared to an ogival-sliaped bag, the open mouth of which issecureoby its .annular rim or edge tothe shell by a'hermet'ically. sealed jointthus forming a compartment dfl'at the eit- .trcmity of the shelL- Itsfunction is to practically par;

asan air compressor N, and an accumulator reservoir n,

Near each end of each she'll a, is scouted an internal i of-the shellinthe absence of compressed air between -tition off-and separate' thebody orcentral. chamber of 1 30 thn shell iron] its particular end ofthe shell under certhin conditions, although when fully collapsed intosilid end of the shell it'constitutcs simply a lining thereof as'nhovcintimated, \ighile when expanded by the introduction of cmnprosscd airbetween it and the interior surface ol' its end of the shell it may beprojcctcd more 4 or less beyond its sealed edge into the body or centralchamber of the shell, and against the rcsistonccof the buoyant mediumtherein contained.

Each flexible diaphragm d", is preferably formed of layers of strongsilk superposed and united by intervpning strata of'rubber, so as toattain tenacity and 'flexibilityQand little wright. The edge of thediaphragm (1, may be permanently secured and sealed to l 5 ..'the shellin any manner desired, although the method shown in Figs. 26 and 21, ofthe drawings is preferable.

This consists in folding the edge d", of the bag over 'ilponitsr:lf,-*inserting an annular wire a of rlluininium in the fold andthen clamping the folded edge between two internal flanges a and a,secured respcctivoly to adjacent edges of two of the permanent annularsections'of the shell body a, the extreme edge d7 or the fold containingthe annular aluminium wire d, projecting externally from the joint asshown, to reinforcev the fold against -internal strain. The. bases ofthe internal flanges 01 and a, are soldered or otherwise secured to theinterns! surfaces of their respective body sections. Packing rings d doi suitable material are interposed between the folded edge of the diarphragm (Z9, and the opposed surfaces of the flanges 01- j and a, beforethey are clamped together by screw bolts a, a; to insure a strong,compact and hermet ically scaled joint. The outer edges of all four ofthe 'diuphmgms d", are secured hermetically andfpermonently to the shellin this or a similar manner. j One of the flexible diaphrugms d spy fordistinctionthe bow diaphragm, is formed with a central disk (1 ofleather or other suitable. material in which is embedded and throughwhich projocts, a coupling pipe or nozzle (1 closed normally by a screwcap or plug-(I shown in'Fig. 17. Both the how and the stern dinphragmsare formed in two pzi-rls the one a truncated main portion n, having itsouter edge secured permanently to the shell as above described, and theother a detachable central section a which forms the cap-or apex of the'ogival diaphragm. See Figs. and 25. i r

' A zone or band :2, of strong silk is sewed onto the truncated portionof the roar diaphragm on the outer side (that which rests against theinner surface of the convergent end when the diaphragm is deflated) to.WlllCll are attached atsniluble intcrva-lsguiding loops or rings r1through which is passed a strong flexible silk gathering cord tribe usedin thrlutling and closing this trunc ater'l portion of the-diaphragm Forthe purpose "anr'lin the mannerhereafter described; 5 i.

' ioh rn'ziy-be made for at-t'ucliix ig: and detaching section a", o'lthe .dinphrsgrnto or. I ftaclrztl-xlc trun'cated porli'on thereofvarious mech'anieiil cltpcdionts. 4Infghe'dmwings, is and Ell-each oitbc'sbuttiug edges OE'lllG two se'cti is of tho diaphragmisl'olxlcd-ovor upon itself, *n'nd adminu'lar ulnminiuin'wire isinserted in the edge olfthli'*-ihl l for the' 'uuflio'se ol holding-eachrim thus;

.of each 01' the diaphragms.

'6'5' formed-distended; T0 the 'outensides of thesez nnulsr.

yiou s that since the. float has a rigid non-collapsible shell it cannotbe chorged with the buoyant medium in the usual and well known manner'applicable'to collapsible balloons or floats. Hence I provide thetemporary or displacing lining L, consisting essentially of a lightflexible impermeable bag of a. shepe and-size approximating closely theinternal surface of. tll shcllv within and against which it fits snuglywhen inflated therein. One end of this temporary lining is convergent orogival in shape to conform to the interior surface of the diaphragm d atthat (the so called bow end) of the shell when said diaphragm isretracted; the-other end of the temporary lining is also convergent buttruncated,..,tl1e open edge being turned outward and having secured toitari annular plate Z, of aluminium to facilitate ettochment tothetruncated end .of the diaphragm d, at thoother or so called stem:endof the shell when the apexseciiou 2. of said latter diaphragm isremoved for this purpose. v

To the lolward, closed end of the removable lining L is attached byappropriate means a fiexiblecable of guy suitable character I, of alength suflicient to extend through the lining L, -2md shell. a. In thedrawings the inner end of the cable is shown as secured to on eye-piece1 attached to leather disks 1. 1-, secured to the apex of the ogival endof thelining.

O a disk of varnished silk or other impervious material attached at itsedge to an annular rim or plate o, of the same size as the annularplate'l, on the'trunouted end of the temporary lining'L. p

The operation of charging ashell-a, with hydrogen or other buoyantmedium is performed in following manner. The end sections of theskelctonifranie and the removable sections of the convergent ends of theshell being detached, the apex-sections a are. also detached from thenon-detachable truncated portion The covers e-, of the hatches r, at thetop of the shell are opened and the cap (1, removed from the mouth ornipple dfat the bottom of the shell. The temporary lining L is thenintroduced into the shell :1, and spread over the lower half lllcreol',the outer surface of the underhalf being preierably though notnecessarily, fastened tempomrily to frheopposcd lower half olthc shell,so as to spread :out the. liningiu n semi-circular orromi cyIindricsl'form as indicated in Fig. 9:21. flexible neck or conduit The truncatedend 1' ofthe lining and. and. of the rear diaphragm in place of theremoved apex-section (r thereby closingsnd hermetically scalingthetemporary lining-the only other opening thereto'beino throuah theflexible neck or conduit l, which is'now attached to a tube p, for theintroduction of compressed air. A flexible metallic cable, chain orequivalent R introduced through one of the hatches at one enormity ofthe shell, passed longitudinally over the deflated lining through loops,provided for the purpose so as to rest thereon centrally, and then outof one of the hatches at the other extremity of the shell. Compressedair is now admitted through the tube 2, and inflates the lininggradually, the weight of the cable R resting longitudinally upon thecentral portion of the upper side of the liningtending to render theinflation bi-laternlly symmetrical and uniform as indicated by thedotted lines in Fig. 9, so that the lining is distributed evenly andsmoothly over the inner surface of the shell, thus facilitating theinflation and avoiding kinks or folds in the lining that might strain itunduly in parts or prevent its conipletcly filling the interior of theshcll.'whicl1 is essential in order that the atmosphere may be entirelyexpelled therefrom througlrthe open hatches 0'.

When the inflation is nearly complete the cableR is withdrawn throughone of the hatches. When the inflation is fully completed so that theouter surface of thr-v lining tits snugly against practically the Wholeiutcrior surface including the concavities of the annulur sections ofwhich the body of the shell is composed .as Wt-TlltlS the interiorsurfaces of the collapsed dinphragms (PK I, at the ends thereof, theflexible neck or conduit 1 is closed in any suitnhle manner, as-by tyingor throttling it with a cord and then thrusting it into, the shellthrough the mouth or nipple d, which isthen closed by the screw cap (1.The hatches c, are then closed. the apex sections (U attached to thefor- I Ward diaphragm and the plug or cap :1 1s removed from thecoupling pipe or nozzle (Z in the leather disk at the apex of the bowdiaphragm d, and the end of a pipcS screyved into the,npzzl e d ,saidtube S com-v of which the lining bag L may be caused to revolute uponitself, or beturned outside in'. In other words the temporary lining isgradually but forcibly "Withdrawn through the truncated end of the reardiaphragm bringing the contained air (which has been retluced toatmospheric pressure by the slitting of the dish 0) with it, while atthe same time hydrogen or other buoyant gas admitted to the shellthrough the pipe Sto'fillthe space in the shell (1, vacated by-thelining bag L; and its contents.

. Whenthe lining L has been entirely retracted and withdrawn frond theshell and the truncated end of the rear diaphragmjthe latter is tightlyclosed by means of. the gatlieriirg or throttling cord t, which isthen-securely tied as indicated in Fig. 2ft; thereby effectuallycutting. off communication-betweeil the interior of the shelland-thellining bag L. Under these conditions .lthelattercan with safetybedetached from the tron-1 cate'dend of the diaphragm and the removableapexsection al, of thediaphragm replaced'an'd hermetically saledthereto, af tef'which thecorglinmayb'e loosened.

pipe Sb'eing ribividiseonnectedlfrom the coupling inozzled, inthedrapliiigm at'theotherend oi the disconnected between saidv'a'lvesqand the accumw' L, being to effect the displacementof the air Withinthe- 7 both extremities of the shell may be replaced and secured inposition. The compressed air pipes n 11/, lead ing to the hollow-endpieces d, d, at each extremity of the shell, if of flexible material asis preferabl adapt themselves. to the dismounting and rerno'unting ofthe detachable sections (1 of the convergent ends of the shell,otherwise they alivep rovided with special cut off valves 1 at or nearsaid detaphable ectionsa, and are lator reservoir 11,. duringthebperatior'rof chatging .the shells with the 'bouyant medium as abovespecified. The-main function involved in the use of the lining bag rigidnon collapsible metallic shell a, it is obvious that if it vere inflatedwith the bouyant medium in lieu of the compressed air it might beretained as a permanent lining, the principal objection to this beingthe added Weight of the liningbag L, itself which itis'obviouslydesirable to' dispense with. If desired however as a permanent lining,in such'case of course, both ends of the bag L could be closed and ofthe same shape as the bowend herein described and shor'vn,but in otherrespects, since the lining L, would lit and completely eonform'to theinterior surfaces ofthe diaphragrns (1 dies well as to that of the shella, the effect of the introduction of compressed air intb, or its releasefrom, the b0mpart-' ments df, d, would be identical with that herein setforth, the only'difference' being that the'diaphragm would act throughthe lining L against the bnoyant medium instead of being in directcontact therewith; Both of the shells a, a,'havi1'1g been thus chargedwith a.

:buoyant gas communication having been established between thecompressed air accumulator or reservoir n,. and the-diaphragm chambersd, d., in the ends of said shells, and the apparatus otherwise preparedfor use (it being understood that the 'agg'regateweight'oi'the apparatnsmust necessarily be less than the weight of the atmospheredisplaced byit) the density ofthe buoyant medium and the specific gravity of'theapparatus is regulated and controlled by means of compressed. airintroduced intgi or released from the said chambers 'd', d, from thereservoir n, through the jrmedium of the valves n and tubes n,-thevalves n being three way l0 valves as hereinbefore described, orprovision being otherwise made for introducingthbcompress ed air intoand releasing it from-the compai'tmeats d d. In this connection itinustybe borne in inind that the com- "pressedair is condensed from'theatmosphere only as- Wanted, the reservoir njsupplied by the compressor IN', when necessary, being designed simply 'toactlas a compensator in.whichthe pressure will be' practically uniform, and to maintain only asuitable marginor Sllf- ,plus of compressed air for immediate use, itbeing irleic- 12 pedient to"carry any considerable quantity of 'com-''pressed air OII'aCQOHlIt of its Weight. Owing however to this veryfactthat its specific Weight is necessarily greater than that'of theatmosphere {from which it is lrawn and condensed it is available asballast when in- .125 trodnced into the compartments d, d4, as Wellasior the purpose 9f compressing or regulating'the densityof thehydrogenfor other buoyant medium bythe compres "sion-iot the same withinthe-central chambers of'the floatsl In-iact' for that. matter thecompartments-d; 130.

(1, might be separated from. the centml compartment containing thebuoyant medium by stationery rigid diaphmgms, instead of the flexiblediaphragm-1s d, shown and descrilmd, in which case, while there would beno alteration in the density of the buoyant medium, thecompressed eiradmittcd to or released from the CUB) partmentsd, (Jf, would act as ballastto increase or diminish the specific gravity of the apparatus. Thus bythe use of the air compressor and connections in conlunction with theend CtJiTlllzU'hlllGilhiil d, d, in the floats A i inn cnhbled toutilize the surrounding at mosphere not only zt me-ens by \yl'iich thedensity of the buoyant medium may be varied, but also as aninexhaustible supply of ballast which on y be taken aboard ordischarged(will.

By the use of flexible diephmgms d", d, fitting when colla sod snuglyinto ithe con vergcnt ends of the shells a, a, the full capacity ofthelatter is rendered aysi'iablc for the buoyant medium, while the limit ofaltitude to be attained with safety is determined by the zireound.cepacity of the compartments r, of", when the diephragnis are inflatedto their fullest extent, as illustrated in Fig.- 25. .In other words thecapacity of the com pertinent-s dfld, prescribe the quantity ofcompressed on which msys'ztfely be forced into said compartments,

end-hence the degree of density to which the buoyant medium may bereduced as well the amount or =Wiglll}.0f ballast-Which may he acquiredirom the at imosphcre.-

air is used to trim the ship and keep the longitudinal sixes ol the twofleets A, A in the The compressed ,assurehorizontalplerie. That is tosay any slight viii-iation otthe center of gravity from thcproscrihcdpoint -maybe compensated ior hy the introduction of cone pressed airinto one ormore of the end compartments d tocoun-terhalrlhccany excoiWeight at part of-the Tappamtus, thus insuring and maintaining theperfect elirrement of: the vehicle in ascending .or des'cnd-inglertraveling ins straight line in either direction in a horiiontsliplanc.

When it is desired to steer the vehicle laterally in either directioncompressed air added to the lost on thesi'cle on which it is desired tohave the vehicle turn, hils shifting th'ecenter of gravity temporarilyto that id'e'oft-heappimi-tus and utilizing centripetallorce inrenderihg "the vehicle dirig-ible in horizontal curvilinear directions,'the"vcrticabmovement of the vehicle besteering inechanis'r'n -iin the{ordinary sense of the.

'ing effected and controlled by theintroductioh into or releasefro'm,-..each end'cor npartment d, of an equal quantity-of compressedair. will thus be seen that term isdispcnscd with, the vehicle beingendercd dirigible in a-ny and all directions by simply regulating andvarying the amount of compressed air in the sev- 'crdlfendcompartmcntsd". Furthermore, this can be "accomplished in tl'llnilstaccurate and delicate manner" since" the opp-trams is "instantly respo:hi1i1lgeor'modiliciition in the suoplyor Q the compressed air; sothritiveryjslight arietioris in alti tilde or 'direction may be easilyattained by the intro 1 dll ctld fl or release of compiimtively' sinallq'uantitics of comorcss'cd air slowly into or from the end cor[roaremerit-s d, or if'so'desired, as in of emergency a practicallyihsta'nta-hcous and raldit.

Al ch'a-hge may be" effected in altitude or direction, of both. bythelinj cc sorgszs tion ipto, or release from said end compartments (1.of

rclztti'vI-ily lurge qimntitirs of compressed air.

A ieeture of n y system of rendering the apparatusdirigiblc hot-hyuartically and horizontally by the use' l compressed air is the elementof safety involved, for the reason that the hydrogen or other lnioyiintrhodium rind the compressed oir are both positively inclosed andcontrolled in rigid structures which if properly made.

and proportioned 'to Withstand the internal and external ressnro towhich thcyztro designed to be subjected can neither collnpse nor burstnsundcr,----thc only llxihie yielding parts subject 10 strain licing thedim phragms rl, interposed between the hydrogen or other buoyant.gaszind the compressed air. however the pressure of compressed air ononcsidcof each diaphragm is neutralized by the r stance of the buoys-n1;gas on the other side thcreoi, it is obvious that there is little or nodanger of the rupture oi a d iuphragm (luring hull} nary conditions ofuse. l urthcrmorc.thc charge of hydrogen orotbor buoyant gas ispositively confined within.

certain .prcsu'ihcd limits and fixed in charm-to so that the availablelifting capacity of the appnmti .cannot deteriorate below it prescribedand pro-determined dc grcc. i I

It will. thus be seen the-thy the use oi the simplest possible means IoyercoI-nc and control gravity, buoyancy, and inertia in an aerialvehicle which is substantially permanent in character, geometricallycorrect in configuratiooin that a maximum of atmospheric displacement isattained with aminimum .of superficial. resistance. and in which thestability and alincmcnt of nomical observation for the purpose ofascertaining 1on gitude end latitnde direction of travel &c.

The hydrogen or other buoyant gas being entirely in= closed and sealedwithin nretzrl. disaster-from firehr cxplosion by reason of ignitionthereof'is practically impossible. For a like reason the vehicle is notaffected by changes in temperature or rlima tic conditiohs, the yolu'meand density of the buoyant medium remaining permanent and under fullcontrol.

What I claim as my invention and desire to scorn? by Letters Patent is,v

1. In a n acrostaric (levicc of the char actor desigzh'atcd.

. an elongated float formed with a central compartment conraining" a gaslighter than .thc st'mosphere. and wiih end icom m'rtinents' separatedfrom-l the. ccptral compartment by hermetically so ally sea "'ing comp!em] com'prirtlilcnrv "pose describofl. 2. III-:51); aerostatic le anelongated.hcrmcticall, metal with :1 central comhm'tin than theatmosohei "rated-from the central compartment-hr herrrxetimlly'scald.

flexible dlaphragms. said hermetically sealed flexible diaphragms andmeans for introducing compressed air into and relea ing it from each oisaid end compartments independent b1 the others. for the purposedescribed. I

3. In an aerostatic device of the character designated. an elongatedhermetically sealed float formed of thin sheet aluminium with a centralcompartment containinga lighter than the atmosphere and with endcompartments separated from the central compartment b hermeticallyscaledflexible diaphragms, said hermetically sealed flexible diaphragms.and means for introducing compressed 'air into and releasing it fromeach of said end (.(lillDdl'tillt-Tlls independent of the others. forthe purpose described.

'4. An acrostatic chamber divided into three compartments by twohermetically sealed flexible diaphragms, the central chamber containinga gas lighter than tlie'atmospliers, ,and means for independentlyintroducing coinpressed air'int o and releasing it from each oftheyothcr two compartnzents, for the purpose described.

5. Anaerostatic chamber divided into three compartmentsiby twohermetically sealed flexible diaphragms. the

centralcompartment containing a gas lighter than the atmosphere, andmeans for introducing compressed air'lntc or releasing it from the endcompartments either simultaneously or independently. for the purposedescribed.

6. An aerostatic chamber consisting of a cyliud'rical' body formed withconvergent ends, hermetically'sealed flexible diaphragms dividing saidchamber into a central compartment andtwo end'c'ompartments, the centralcompartment containing a gas lighter than the atmosphere, and means '.tor independently introducing compressed air into or-releasing it fromeach of the said end compare -ments, for the purpose described.

-pendentiy introducing compressed air into and 'releasing' it fromeaclrof said end compartments, for the purpose described... l

8. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as designated, thecombination of tw'o hermetically sealedc'aud rigidly connected elongatedfloats, each consisting. of a;

rigid shell of sheet aluminium, having a central com partment containinga'gas lighter than the atmosphere.

and end compartments separated from said central compartment byhermetically sealed flexible 'diaphragmsf said hermetically sealedflexible diaphragms', and -means for independently"introducingcompressed air into and releas ing it from each of said endcompartments, for'the purposedescribed. l V

9. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as de'signoted, thecombination of a plurality of hermetically sealedand rigidly'conncctedelongated metallic shells, each formed with a central compartmentcontaining a gas lighter than the atmosphere and with endcompartmentsseparated fromthe central compartment by hermeticallydiaphragms, and'means for independently introducing compressed air intoand releasing it from each of said end compartments. for the purposedescribed.

10. In'aerostatic apparatus substantially such as desighated, thecombination of a-plurality of hermetically sealed and' rigidly connectedelongated shells tormed of she t aluminium. each with a centralcompartment containing a sealed flexible diaphr'agms, saidhermeticallysealed tlcxlhle atmosphere, and end compartments separated from saidcentral compartment by flexible dia 'ihragms, said flexibleillaphragiiis, means for introducing compressed air into and releasingit ,troin said end compartments. and a rigid metallic .'keleton frameuniting said floats, for the purpose described.

12. In aercstatic apparatus substantially such as designated. thecombination of two hermetically scaled elongated floats, each consistingof a shell of sheet metal having, a central compartment containing a gaslighter than the atmosphere, and the end compartments separated fromsaid central compartment by flexible diaphragms, said flexiblediaphragins, means for introducing compressed air into and releasing itfrom said end comparttnents, a rigid metallic skeleton frame unitingsaid floats, and propellers mounted on said skeleton frame with theiraxes between and below the longitudinal axis of said float, tor thepurpose dcscribed. p

1.3. in acrostatic apparatus substantiallysuch as desigated. thecombination of two hermetically sealed elon gated floats, eachconsisting of a shell of sheet aluminium having a central compartmentcontaining a gas lighter than the atmosphere, and end compartmentsseparated from said central compartment by'flexible diaphragms, saidflexible diapbragms means for introducing compressed air into andreleasing it from said compartments. and a rigid skeleton frame unitingsaid floats, and made of sections of aluminium tubing joined bycouplings made of'al'uminium. for the purpose described.

l-l. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as desig{ hated, thecombination of two hermetically sealed elongated floats consisting of ashell of sheet aluminium having a central compartment containing a gaslighter than the atmosphere, and end compartments separated from thecentral compartment by fie'xihle diaphragms, said flexible--diaphra'gms, means for introducing compressed air into and releasingitfrom said end compartments, and a rigid skeleton frame uniting saidfloats, and consisting of trans verse hoops of aluminium. tubing on eachfloat connectedwith longitudinal sectionsof aluminium tubing byaluminium couplings and-aluminium ties and stay rods between the floatsrigidly connecting the hoops and longitudinal tubes on one float withthose on the other, for the purpose described. 4

15. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as designated, thecombination of two'hermetically scaled elon gated floats each consistingof a shell of sheet metal having a central compartment containin'g a'gfns lighter than the atmospl1e1-e,'and end compartments separated from-the said central compartmen'ieby flexible dlaphragms, saidflexiblediaphragms, means for introducing compressed air into andreleasing it from'i'said end compartments, a rigid metallic skeletonframe uniting said floats, and propellers mountedon said skeleton framewith their axes substan tially in coincidence with the longitudinal-nxisof resistance of the apparatus as afwholc, for the purposedescribed. I

16. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as designoted, t he-combination of two hermetically sealed e'lohgated floats eachconsisting of a shell of sheet aluminium having a central compartmentcontaining: a gas lighter than the atmosphere. and end compartmentsseparated from the said central compartment by flexible diaphragms.

' said flexible diaphragtns. means for introducing compressed air intoand releasing it from said 'endcomp'a-rtments, -a rigid frame ofaluminium tubing uniting said floats, and propellers mounted on saidaluminium frame withtheir axes substantially in coincidence With thelongltudimrL-y;

axis of resistance of the apparatus, .for the purpose described.

17 In'aerostatic apparatus substantially such as deslg hated, thecombination of two hermetically sealed 'elonmetallic skeleton frameuniting said floats and end pieces iii. .the extremities of each ii'oat,each end piecebeing formed with n passage for the introduction ofcompressed -end compartment-S; the central compartment containing 21:

- with the contempt gravity the extremities ofench float to which Lsi id.cenitrai' compartment. ivyit the extremities 01 each float to which theextremities o" the tubular members otihe frame are secured, for thepnrpose described.

18. In aerostatlc apparatus substantially such as desig- Iliifiid, thecombination of two hermetically sealed clongated floats, eachconsisting' of a shell of sheet metal hav ing a central compartmentcontaining a gas lighter than ihe atmosphere, and end compartmentsseparated from the said central compartment by flexible diophragznk,said flexible dinphrag'ms. moans for introducing compressed air. intoand rcleasing it from said end compartments. a rigid metallic skeletonframe uniting soidflonts, end pieces'nt the extremitiesof thelongitudinal members of the frame nrc'securccl, and metallic capssecured to each of said end pieces; for the purpose described. l l

1!). Innerostatic-apparatus s'ubstantidlly such as'desighated, thecombination of two hermetically sealed .elon gated 'ilonts eachconsisting'of 31 shell of sheet metal liar ing a central compartmenteontuiniug a gas lighter than the atmosphere, and end compartmentsseparated from the, fle'xihlodihphrnguisglhealls tor -introducingcompressed air i into and releasing it from said end compartments, arigid metallic. skeleton frame 'uniting said floats, end pieces' airinto tho tparticular cud-oi the shell, and a compressed air pipeconnected with each o said end pieces, tor'thc purpose described. v 20.In aerostaticnpparatus substantially such as designated,- thecombination entire-hermetically scaled elo'n'- gated floats eachconsisting of-a shell oish'eet metal having'a eentral' compartmentcontaining 'a gas lighter than-the atmosphere,- and end comportmcutnseparated from the said centraleompnrtm'ent by flexihlc dinphrngms: midflexible diaphragms, means for introducing compressed air into and;releasing it from said end compartments, .rig-ld metallic; skeletonframe uniting said floats'and-"consisting of transverse hoops ofaluminium tubing on each float connected with iongitudinaisection'sof'nluminiuni tubing by" means o'fi'nluinininm couplings; end pieces atthe q tr'elnities of each flont to whiel'i'th extremities of theiongltudinal neinbers of. its immnre secured, ench end piece beiugformedwl tlila p'ussagc fnr'the introduction 0t cotupress'edialr intolh'at.particular end' of the shell, acumprcssed air pipe connected with'aci'of sold-end pieces; and a -tnetallic capnecu-red-"to'cach .o saidend pieces for -.th:purpose described. I 1 i i 21 Annaeros'taticzvesselco nsisting o f-a shell of aluminf ium having its central cylindrical'portion iormed with iconverg'ent ends; hermetically sealed fiexiblediaphrag'nln ldivldin'gsnid shell- .into 51 central-compartment and tirogas-:lighter': than-the htinosphere, and' mcans forindepndentlyintroducing;compressed -air. into' of releasing it from each of the endcompartments, for that purpose described. A

nlinium which are convex pillsio below their longitudin" compartmentcontaining phr'eyand end compartments separated from the central22;"Innerosta tic oppnrntns substn'n tizilly sucli ns fies-'- ignateti,the comhi'nation of two rig iumshells, each hzlvlng, a centralcylindrical portion '-torn ied witlrconvergent ends, hermeticai ily sealedfiex-ible' dia m-a n gnwidin eaten at, said aluminium 'l1lis into' acentral compartment' Qa'nd two end compartments; -.i:be centralcompartment eontnining'n gas lighter t 'nn'. tli'e atmosphere; nndin'enns tor; independently introducing cornpressedwiri-into' -uudreleasing i't'from each offthe said" end.;coinpartmnts,'foifithe-purp'ose described: Il 2-. In nerotatic apparatussubstantlnllysuch his lies ignored, the combination of tw0.l 1erm etically sealed-.an'd rigidly connectedv 'elongat'ed-floats ,ea'cnconsisting on a .sheil of 'etnmta hiwlngi mcentralcongphrtmenhcontain:ln gas, light-er1 ;ha n;,;.thentmosphcre-nndJend 'eo npdrtr '.'1 ne an.aepgrated 1 .0111 said cqxitrnhnohlphfllnnt'M nuhermet icallyjsealedflexibles .dinphrngn vsaid. 'fiexih lel;

diaphrs-ms,; n ndt 'meann for, introducing; compressed airinto andfelenslngf-ik-{rom alljoulr ofsaidz-"endcompartd nleints either sl nltgneouslyl or independently, for the purdescribed.

- the e cape- 61; air ,rrorn n aerostatlc hims substantially such as on;

of n'single annular pie-co n17 Slzilti' metal formed with in-- turnedflanges by which the adjoining transverse sections .arc-unitedfor thepurpose described.

25. in aerostatic apparatus substantially such as designated, anelongated flout formed with convergent ends and'n. cylindrical bodycomposed of a series of transverse sections each consisting 01 :1 singleannular piece of sheet lunetiii formed with .inlurncii flanges by whichthe adjoining trn nuvcrse sections are unligcd, for the purposedescribed.

26. In acrostatic apparatus substantially snehns designated. anelongated-float, formed with a cylindrical body composed Mn series oftransverse sections each consisting of asingle annular piece of shootmeiuj which is concaveconvex" in cross section, each of said annulartransverse sections being also formed wi Lh. inlrurned flanges by whichthe adjoining sections are united, for the purpose described:

2?. In aerosintlc appa r'atus substantially such as (les ignatcd, anelongated iioat formed with convergent ends 'n'uc'i a cylindrical-hody.cmnposcd of a series of transverse sections each consisting of asingle annular piece of sheet .metal whiclnis concavdcon'vex in crosssection, each of said :mnulnr transverse 'sectionsbeing also formed withintnrned"fl: ngeshy which the: adjoining sections are united, for thepurpose described.

28. In aero'stntic apparatus substantially such as designated, anclongaterlfioat formed with n. cylindrical body composed of a series ofannular soctionsof sheet aluexiernaily in cross section with intnrnedflanges by which. adjoining sections are united, for the purposedescribed.

f. i).-.In a'crostatie apparatus 'substantiallysuch as designated;ail-elongated float formed with'a cylindrical body "composed of inseries of annular sections offshoot alnminiuxn having int'urnedflanges;by. which the adjoining ec tions'are united, and. with convergentends-attached to sa'id hotly rmthe purpose described.

.30. ,In acrostatic apparatus suhstnntially such-as desy ignated anelongntod floafi-of 's'heetfmetal formed witha cylindrical body hiring?convex-gout ends each having'an apex-section whichjis' removable, forthe purpose described.-

31. 'Innrostutic apparatus substantially such as dos i gna ted, anelongated flo'atjbf shjci: kzluniihiu'tdformed with .iigcyl'indricalhody having ogivdl ends, eachha ving m an apex se ctionwhich is removable, =torl he purpose described:-

'. eonsistingmi twimfloats united a skeleton frame and the'iogitndinnl'axiq of resistance to the atmosphere, and" below. said commonaxis of propulsion and resistance; nch of said floats having 51 controlagas lighter than theatmoscolnpartin'ent byiloxibi'e diaphragins,nnd'nieuns tor introducingcompressed.air intoiisaid compartmentsior thei dln'al axis otpresistance to theia tmhsphere fnndjvith the them,distributed 1on :5 aerostaitic apparatus of 'tho'phoricterdesignated,

having t he' weight of the pants supportedby themdistributediongitudinaliyhetwccnchem, with the alri ht pro ones andcoinciding 'wikh' centerof grnvitr below said commoniaxi 0t propulsionhnd. mans f or intro: compartments; for-iii! 'an'd :With' means forallowing said float, of c iming bag of col -lapsible flexible materialoi. substantially the same shape ignateil. a sheet metal that formedwith detachable end sections, flexible diapliragins near each extremityof said float, means for allowing the escape of air from said float,

means for introducing and -vi'itlidrawing a collapsible lin in: bagthrough one of said diaphragms, said flexible lining bag adapted to fitth'e inner surface of the float, means for inflating said lining withcompressed air, means for sealing the float against'atmospherc. andmeans for introducing into the float a gas lighter than the atmos' phereto replace the air displaced by the inflation of the said removablelining, for the purpose described.

36. [n aerostaticapparatus substantially such as des- 'ignated. 'a'sheet metal float consisting of a cylindrical body hav'ng convergentends with detachable apex-sections. flexible diaphragn s near eachextremity of the float fitting within and conforming to said convergentends when the-diaphragms are collapsed, means for allowing the escape ofair from said, fl(:at, nieans for introducing and withdrawing acollapsible flexible lining hag through one of said diaphragms; saidflexible lining bag adapted to fit the inner surface of the float, meansfor inflating said lining with compressed air, means for sealing thefloat against-the atmosphere, and means for introducing into the float agas lighter'than the atmosphere to replace the air displaced by theinflation of the removable lining, for the purpose described. 4

37. in aerostatic apparatus substantially such as designated, a sheetmetal float consisting'of a cylindrical body having convergent ends withdetachable apex-sections, flexible diaphragms near each extremity of thefloat fitting within and conforming to said convergent ends when thediaphragnis are collapsed, oneof said diaphragms being truncated andformed with a detachable end section, a collapsible flexible liningadapted to fit the inner surface of the float and to be introduced orwithdrawn through said truncated diaphragm, means for inflating saidlining with compressed air, means for allowing-the escape of air fromsaid float, means for sealihg the float against the atmosphere. andmeans for introducing into the float ages lighter than the atmosphere toreplace the air displaced by the inflation of the removable lining, forthe purpose described. v

38. In aerosta'tic apparatus substantially'such as desig: nated, a sheetmetal float consisting of a cylindrical body having convergent ends withdetachable apex-sections, flexible diaphragms near each extremity ofthefloat fitting within and conforming to said convergent ends when thediaphragms arecollapsed, the diaphragm at one end of the vfloatbeingtruncated and formed with a detachable end section, acollapsibleflexible lining bag adapted tof flt the inner surface of thefloat and to be introduced and withdrawn through said truncateddiaphragm, means forinflating said. lining with compressed air, meansfor allowing the escape of air from said float. means for sealing thefloat against the atmosphere, and means for introducing into the floatthrough the diaphragm at the other end thereof a gas lighter than theatmosphere to replace the air displaced by the inflation oi -theremovable lining, for

I the purpose described.

39. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as desig nated, a sheetmetal float consisting of a, cylindrical body having convergent endswith detachable apex-sections,

flexible diaphragrns near each extremity of the float fitting within andconforming to said convergent ends when the diaphragms are collapsed,one of the diaphragms being truncated and formedwith a detachable endsection, a col- .lapsible flexible lining bag adapted to fit the innersurface ofthe float and to be introduced and withdrawn through saidtruncated diaplu'agm,'means for inflating said lining bag withcompressed air, a series of'hatches arranged longitudinally on'the floatthrough which" air may be expolled from the float, means for sealingsaid hatches and means for introducing a gas lighter than the atmosphereinto the float to replace the air displaced by the inflation of theremovable lining, for the purpose described.

510. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as desigtinted, a sheetmetal float consisting of a cylindrical body havingconvergent 'ends withdetachable apex-sections,

flexible diaphragms near each extremity of the float fitting withinanrl'conforming to said convergent ends when the diaphragms arecollapsed, the dia 'ibragm at one end of the float being truncated andformed with a detachable end section. a collapsible flexible lining bagadapted to fit. the inner surface of the float and to be introducedandwithdrawn through said truncated diaphragm, means for inflating saidlining bag with compressed air. a series 01' hatches ,arraugedlongitudinally on the float through which air may bccxpelled from thefloat. a cable adapted to be passedthrough certain of said hatchesand torest upon the flexible lining to render its inflation with compressedair even and uniform, means for securing the hatches after said cablehas been withdrawn, and means for introducing into the float through thediaphragm at the other end of the float a-gas lighter than theatmosphere to replace the; air displaced by the inflation of the saidremovable lining. 'forthe purpose described.

41. in acrostatic apparatus substantiall'y'such as desighated, a sheetmetal float consisting ofa cylindrical body having convergent ends withdetachable apeflsections, flexible dis'iphragms near each extremity ofthe float fitting within and conforming to said convergent ends when thediaphragins are collapsed, the diaphragm at one end of the float beingtruncated and formed with a detachable end section. acollapsibleflexible lining formed with a truncated end for attachment to thetruncated diaphragm and adapted to be introduced and withdrawn throughsaid' truncated diaphragm and to fit the interior surface of the iloat,a. closing disk for the truncated ends of the lining and diaphragmformed with a central portion which may be slit open, means forinflatingsaid lining with coinpressed air, means for allowing the escapeof air from said float, means for sealing the float against theatmospherc, and means for introducing into the float a gas lighter thanthe atmosphere to replace the air displaced by the inflation of theremovable lining, for the purpose described. r

42. in aerostatic apparatus substantially such as desig nated. a sheetmetal float consisting of a cylindrical body having convergent ends withdetachable apex-sections, flexible diaphragms near each extremity of thefloat fitting within .andconforming to said convergent ends when thediaphragms are collapsed, the diaphragm at one end of the float beiiigtruncated and formed with a detachable. end section, a collapsible.flexible lining formed with a truncated end for attachment to thetruncated diaphragm and adapted to be introduced and withdrawn throughsaid truncated diaphragm and to fit the interior surface of-the float, awithdrawing cable attached to the inner side of the closed end of thelining, a closing disk for the truncated ends of the liningandcdiaphragm formedxwith a central portion which may be slit-open,means for inflating said lining with compressed air, means for allowingthe escape of air from said float, means for sealing the" float againstthe atmosphere, anti means for introducing into the float a-gas lighterthan the atmosphere to replace'the air displaced by the inflation ofthe. removable lining, for the purpose described.

\ 43. In acrostatic apparatus substantially such as designated, thecombination with a sheet metal float formed with detachable ends, with aseries of hatches and means for sealing the' same, and with, a mouth ornipple and cap for closing the ,same, of a flexible collapsiblelining'bag formed with-a flekible neck adapted to be drawn through themonth or nipple, for the purpose described.

44. In aerostatic apparatus substantially such as designated. asheet'metal float consisting of a cylindrical body having convergentends with detachable apex-sections, flexible diaphragms near eachextremity of the float fitting within ,aud conforming to saidconvergent. ends when the diaphragms are collapsed, one of the.diaphragmsbeing truncated and formed with a,detach'able end section andbeing also provided with a cord by which it may be throttled andclo sedbetween its truncated edge-and the'edg'e by which it is securedpermanently and hermetically to the shell of the float, a collapsibleflexible lining hag adapted to fit the inner surface of the float and tobe introduced and withdrawn through said truncated diaphragm, means forinflating said lining bag. with com:

pressed air, 'ineans for allowing the escape 01? air from

